Incoming iPhone calls interfere with AirPods synced to my Mac during Zoom meetings

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Level 1

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Incoming iPhone calls interfere with AirPods synced to my Mac during Zoom meetings

If my iPhone 17 Pro (iOS 27.1) rings while I am on a Zoom call and I am using AirPods to hear the Zoom call, the audio in the AirPods changes to be significantly louder, make a very harsh sound. How do I make this stop?

Posted on Sep 29, 2026 6:13 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

WheelieNick

Level 9

69,112 points

Sep 30, 2026 2:04 AM in response to drdaveneuro

Hi there

Please try this

By default, Apple devices try to intelligently hand off your AirPods based on active audio. You need to lock your AirPods to your Mac so incoming phone calls cannot trigger a connection hijack.

Put your AirPods in your ears and ensure they are connected to your Mac.
On your Mac, open System Settings → Bluetooth.
Click the More Info (i) button next to your AirPods.
Locate the setting "Connect to this Mac".
Change it from Automatically to When Last Connected to This Mac.
Crucial: Do the exact same thing on your iPhone. Go to Settings → Bluetooth → tap the (i) next to your AirPods → change Connect to this iPhone to When Last Connected to This iPhone.

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